Memory Verse:
“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
(John 4:14)
In John 4:26, we see the first of seven “I AM” statements with no direct object (also called the “Stand Alone I AM Statements” or the “Intransitive I AM Statements”) which could be considered bad grammar, but for Jesus it is great theology. To say “I am tired” “I am a teacher” or “I am going to tell Jesus He used bad grammar” makes sense. But when Jesus says “I AM,” you need to know that “I am” in the Hebrew is the equivalent to the name Yahweh or Jehovah. In each of these “I AM” statements, Jesus is telling us who He is.
“I AM that speaks to you.” John 4:26
He is Personal in our relations.
In the Old Testament, Jehovah God would reveal Himself and distinguish Himself from the other “so-called” gods who were made out of wood and did not speak or do anything (see Psalm 115, for instance). When Jesus came to the woman at the well, she was surprised that a Jewish man would speak to her, a woman with a questionable reputation. Today, many are surprised that the God of the universe would speak to them. As I write this, I am in awe that God forgave my sins and puts up with me. I love Him and He “walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own” (In the Garden, hymn published 1912). The idolatrous images made in the Biblical days did not have a personal relationship with those who worshipped them. We, on the other hand, have a God whose presence is with us always, who invites us to pray to Him, and responds when we do.
“I AM, do not fear” John 6:20
He is Perfect in love.
Jesus next uses the “I AM” phrase (in Greek, Ego eime) in the context of fear. The disciples saw Jesus as he walked on the storm. His response to their fear was “I AM, do not be afraid” (Hebrew Names Version). From the beginning, our response to a holy God is fear. Adam in Genesis hid himself from God because he was naked and afraid. Jesus walks on the storms of life and provides deliverance. His perfect love drives out all fear (1 John 4:18).
“If you do not believe that I AM.” John 8:24
He is Preeminent in judgment.
Thirdly, John reveals the “I AM” in the context of a lack of faith or unbelief. The doubters were mocking Christ because they knew His mother became pregnant when she was not married. They did not know who His physical father was, not realizing that it was more important who His Heavenly Father was. The lack of faith that Jesus is the “I AM” is what causes God’s judgment of unbelievers. By faith alone in Christ and His sacrifice, they could avoid the punishment. Jesus declares in their presence three times (8:24, 28, 58) in this one chapter that He is “I AM,” that is, “Yahweh God.” He declares that lack of faith will cause them to miss eternal life.
“…you will know that I AM” John 8:28
He is Provider of Salvation.
The fourth “I AM” statement is a reference to the cross. When Jesus is lifted up on the cross, He was fulfilling the true Passover, bearing the sins of the world. Jesus said that on that day that He is lifted up, they will know that He is who He said He was. Some may have come to salvation on that day, while others in full knowledge, rejected Him still. In this passage, Jesus was asked who He was, and as a result of this “I AM” statement, many placed their faith in Him (see John 8:30–31).
“Before Abraham was, I AM” John 8:58
He is Perpetual in existence.
This was the clearest “I AM” statement, as Jesus boldly stated that He existed before Abraham. He proclaimed He was Yahweh, existing before and was greater than the Jewish spiritual father Abraham. As a result, the Jewish people picked up stones to hurl at this blasphemous “prophet” as they presumed Jesus to be. British Professor and Writer C.S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia and numerous Christian classic books, put it perhaps the most succinctly: Jesus was either a liar, lunatic or the Lord He claimed to be.
“You may believe that I AM” John 13:19
He is Prophecy fulfilled.
The context here is faith in times of doubt. The disciples were about to go through what would undoubtedly be the darkest time in their lives—those hours between the betrayal and the resurrection. When Judas revealed himself as the traitor he was, the disciples needed to know that this was a part of God’s plan. It was not just Jesus who predicted this to come about. One thousand years earlier, in Psalm 41:9, God foreshadowed that a close friend who ate bread with the Messiah would lift up his heel against Him. When we have times that test our faith, God wants us to know He knows the future, He is in charge of the future and He prepares us for it.
Jesus said to them, “I AM” John 18:5
He is Power over All.
The final “I AM” declarative statement shows that Jesus is more powerful than man’s armies or soldiers, more powerful than betrayal and that through it all, the great “I AM” can cast any opposition onto their backs. God is sovereign and no one can oppose Him. He could have called more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). At the mere utterance of His “I AM” caused soldiers to fall. One day, just as Judas and the soldiers fell, every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess He is Lord.
Day 7: Morning
Questions: How To Dodge The Smoke Screens
(Read John 4:1–18)
In John 4, we see Jesus in active witnessing. The woman’s thirst was more than merely physical. She came to draw water at mid-day, a time when most other women would not come due to the heat of the day.
When the discussion comes around about her life and need of a Savior, she quickly turns the conversation to a theological debate that was being argued at the time. This is called a “smoke screen” which people often bring up to hide the fact that they need to get right with God.
Here are a few “smoke screens” which are brought up today to turn conversations into theological debates:
“Why are there hypocrites in church?”
“What about the people who have never heard about Jesus?”
“Isn’t the Bible filled with contradictions?”
“Where did Cain get his wife?”
All of these have satisfactory answers for sincere seekers, but none of those answers will meet the need of receiving God’s forgiveness and direction in life. List a few more “smoke screens” you may encounter.
Not all questions are smoke screens. You may have legitimate questions about Christianity…I know I do! May I offer you some encouragement: There is no question that you have that other thinking and wondering Christians have not already asked, and yet they still have faith in God. Even if you come up with a question no one has ever asked or one that no one has ever adequately answered, rest assured that God has an answer.
More importantly, our questions, answers and lack of answers do not dethrone God. The best answer perhaps to almost every question is simply this: Because there is a God!
Pray this prayer to God: “Dear Lord God, give me the boldness to cross traditional, racial, economic and denominational boundaries in my love and care for others. Give me wisdom on when and how to answer a skeptic’s question. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”
Day 7: Evening
Pride And Prejudice
(Read John 4:19–24)
Jesus frequently used the natural surroundings to turn the conversation into a spiritual parable. The “water” that Jesus offered the woman was free for the asking (4:10), completely satisfying (4:14a) and internal and eternal (4:14b).
When the disciples returned, they revealed some prejudices not seen in Jesus. Have prejudices ever stopped you from talking to someone of a different race? Would you be more likely to witness to someone of your same gender? Do you avoid talking to someone about God because they are too poor? Too rich? If you met someone and discovered they were in an immoral lifestyle, would you to tell them about God?
It may have been difficult to answer some of the questions above. If so, ask God to rid any prejudice you may have. Make a commitment to seek out people who are different from you to share Christ with.
Some people use John 4:21–24 to justify not going to church. More accurately, Jesus was saying God seeks a worshipful attitude in spirit and truth, wherever and whenever you may be worshipping.
There is something about worshipping God with other people which takes away our pride. It is humbling to come before the awesome Creator of the universe, especially with other people. It’s easy to be loving and kind when we are just by ourselves, but God wants more than that!
Worshipping God in a local church is a vital part of your Christian growth. Notice that immediately after this conversation, the woman wanted to find the very people she had previously been trying to avoid and bring them to Jesus. Pride and prejudice makes you run from people. Humility and love makes you run to others with the good news, the gospel.
Pray this prayer to God: “God, I repent of my sin of not worshipping You in spirit and in truth. Help me see that true spiritual worship is found privately and publically with You and with others You love. In Your name, I will humbly submit myself to the loving care of others in the church. Amen.”
Day 8: Morning
Come and See: The Power of a Witness
(Read John 4:25–42)
After talking with Jesus, the woman’s priority was no longer getting water…she left her water pot with Jesus. Jesus had quenched her spiritual thirst. Jesus also had His needs for food met. Read verses 31–34.
Notice that the woman’s message was similar to that of Philip when he found Nathanael in John 1:46. It was also the invitation Jesus gave to John and Andrew in John 1:39, “Come and see.”
Our job is to bear witness. God is responsible for the results. Some people may say, “Witnessing is not my gift.” But we cannot know what will happen when we simply go tell people about what we know of Jesus.
It is like planting seeds. A person who plants is no less important than the one who reaps or the person who tends to the crops. Look at verses 34–38 and see how important it is for us to plant, tend and harvest the “crops” in God’s harvest field. The need is no different today.
The woman could have used all types of excuses to not go and tell the people of the town about Christ. Now, the woman who came to draw water when no one else was around wants to share the Living Water with everyone. In fact, it was her radical change that made people interested!
God can use your story, your testimony, to lead others to Christ, but first you have to share it. True, it is good to know what to say and maybe even work with someone who has shared their testimony with others, but don’t wait until you are all polished and perfect to share your story.
“Many more believed because of His own word.” If God blesses you with a harvest, remember it is Christ, not you or your testimony, which saves. Verse of 42 could appear hurtful to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said” (NIV). Remember that if we tell others about Jesus, it is up to them and God on how they respond. But they cannot respond unless we share the simple message of “Come and see.”
Pray this prayer to God: “Heavenly Father. Take away every excuse I have for not serving You and telling others about You. Give me power as I live my life so that others may come to Christ. I will give You all praise and glory and honor. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”
Day 8: Evening
Faith: Seeing Is Not Always Believing
(Read John 4:43–54)
I once shared Jesus Christ with a teenage girl. She eagerly received the “good news” about salvation. She asked Jesus to come into her life, to forgive her sins and clean up her life. The tears she shed were genuine tears of joy because of her new life. She was so excited when she went home to tell her family. Despite her joy, their reaction was as cold as the Arctic Ocean. “Oh,” her father said, “you’ll grow out of that stage.”
If you are a new believer, or if you have not received the support for your faith from home or friends that you should have, read verse 44, which shows that Jesus not only cares, He understands! He knows what it is like to be misunderstood. Every believer will face doubts and opposition.
John recorded the second “sign” in his gospel and again it occurred in Cana. Jesus obviously did more miracles than John records (verse 45). God could simply show so many supernatural signs of His power that everyone would be forced to “believe.” God’s desire is for Christians to grow in faith, sometimes, in absence of “signs.”
Twice the nobleman insisted Jesus to “come down” and heal his son. Jesus put his faith to the test by telling him to “Go your way, your son lives.” Could it be that God wants you to grow strong in faith in the midst of opposition? “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” Will you believe in Jesus, though it seems no one else around will?
This miracle is not recorded in any of the other gospels. It is important in that it comes right after a statement that a prophet is without honor in his own country. Nazareth was notably skeptical of Jesus and people were skeptical of Jesus because of where He was from. A king’s official and the “wicked Samaritans” believed on Him, yet not his hometown.
Read 1 Peter 4:12–13. Don’t believe in God because of your surroundings. Believe in spite of your surroundings.
Pray this prayer to God: “Oh, Lord My God. Give me faith to trust in You, whatever comes my way. I place my faith in You and You alone, not in my circumstances, not in what I can or cannot see. Not even in how many others around me believe. I put my trust in You. Amen.”
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